Sound guided football/basketball game for blind people

ABSTRACT

Blind people have a heightened sense of recognizing and responding to sounds. If we provide a sound guided environment informing them of their whereabouts and where they are supposed to go, this will enable them to interact with others in a competitive atmosphere.

BACKGROUND

The invention of this game makes it possible for blind people to play a game of football/basketball without any outside help, but relying only on their keen sense of hearing and a conducive environment consisting of an:

-   -   Electronically mapped court (EMC)     -   “Impact” sensitive goal boards     -   Special sound-ball     -   Special helmets

SUMMARY

By utilizing the keen sense of hearing in blind people and creating a favorable sound-enriched environment, blind people will be aided to play a game of football/basketball.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Is a perspective “top-view” illustrating the “electronically-mapped court” (EMC)

FIG. 2: Is a perspective frontal view of a “sensor pole”

FIG. 3: Is a perspective frontal and lateral view of the “goal board”

FIG. 4: Is a view of the “special helmet”

FIG. 5: Are the perspective and cross sectional views of the “sound-ball”

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: The “electronically-mapped court” (EMC) depicts the different components of 25 “sensor poles” and the two “sensitized goal boards” that are sensitive to the movement of the “sound ball” and “special helmets.”

FIG. 2: Shows one of the 25 sensor poles that each pair (one on each opposite side of the court) is responsible in creating an electronic line (e-line)/curtain across the court.

FIG. 3: Shows the size and different components of each “goal board.”

FIG. 4: Depicts a “special helmet” with all its components such as two internal speakers (one above each ear) for receiving individual information, and one sound source outlet above the forehead area, where the team bell will be emitted. There are also two holes on the helmet one for each ear.

FIG. 5: It shows the plain view and the cross sections of the sound ball. In cross sections of A, B, and C, the floating sound-activating ball is shown in the cavity within three positions of the sound ball.

DESCRIPTION

This game is similar to a football/basketball game that can be played by blind people.

In order to make this game possible, a special environment must be created utilizing:

-   -   I. An electronically-mapped court (EMC)     -   II. Two electronically sensitized “goal boards”     -   III. “Special helmets” for players     -   IV. A special “sound-ball”

Sound Guided Football/Basketball Game For Blind People

There are two opposing teams each consisting of ten players and one coach with three to four players from each team on the court at any given time.

The object of this game is to move the “sound ball” across the court in a fashion similar to touch football.

To score points, the sound ball must be carried beyond the 75′-line before the ball carrier is allowed to throw it at the sensitized goal-board in a way similar to a game of basketball.

The Equipment and Gear Used in Sound-Guided Football/Basketball I. The Electronically Mapped Court (EMC):

The court is a 100×50 ft. area with two raised “goal boards” at opposite ends of the court. There are also twenty sensor poles; five on each side of the court. Each pair of sensor poles (its match on the opposite side of the court) will create an electronic curtain/line that will be activated only when a player's “special helmet” or the “sound ball” crosses it.

The pattern in which these sensor poles are placed around the court will divide the court into horizontal and vertical zones.

As shown in FIG. 1

-   A and A¹ poles will create the horizontal boundary of X -   B and B¹ poles will create the horizontal 25′/75′ line -   C and C¹ poles will create the horizontal 50′ line (center line) -   D and D¹ poles will create the horizontal 75′/25′ line -   E and E¹ poles will create the horizontal boundary of X¹ -   F and F¹ poles will create the vertical boundary of Y -   G and G¹ poles will create the vertical left/right Quarter line -   H and H¹ poles will create the vertical middle line -   I and I¹ poles will create the vertical right/left quarter line -   J and J¹ poles will create the vertical boundary of Y¹

Crossing/Interrupting any of these electronic lines (e-lines) via helmet or sound ball will cause the activation/transmission of a certain message(s).

-   -   A. If a player's helmet interrupts the e-line, a message will be         transmitted to that particular player's helmet informing him/her         of their whereabouts.     -   B. If the “sound ball” interrupts the e-line, the message will         be transmitted to the overhead speaker system, alerting         teammates, opponents, and audience of the ball or its carrier's         position.

II. The Goal Boards

There are two “goal boards” (FIG. 3) similar to a backboard in a basketball game only without the basket. There is, however, one electronically sensitized area in the middle of each board that is sensitive to impact. Each goal board is 7×7 ft. and the sensitive area in the middle of the board is 5×5 ft.

The second feature of the goal board is to attract the players to it by the sound of a “pulsating horn” located in the center of the sensitized area.

The sound of this horn is different for each team and is in the form of a pulsating sound (FIG. 3).

III. The Special Helmets

Helmets used in this game are similar to football helmets. However, in addition to protecting the player's head, they are also equipped with electronic components that will receive messages in order to notify players of their position on the court through the speakers inside their helmets.

Each helmet serves three functions:

-   -   1. Protection     -   2. Emission of a sound (bell, ring, etc.) unique to each team in         order to notify players of the whereabouts of their teammates         and opponents. There is an on/off switch for this function (FIG.         4).     -   3. Each time a helmet crosses any of the e-lines, a voice         message will be transmitted into that individual's helmet         notifying the player of his/her whereabouts on the court/field.

IV. Sound Ball

The appearance and function of a sound ball:

A. The appearance

-   -   a. The sound ball looks like a football     -   b. It is made of special materials that will not bounce or         travel very far when it comes in contact with the floor.

B. Functions

The sound ball's special functions are possible through the usage of electronic components placed inside the “sound ball.” There are two separate functions related to the sound ball.

First, the bell sound that will be activated at the beginning of each game will stay on throughout the game until it is turned off by a switch. There are three distinct sounds emitted from the sound ball.

To activate any of these three different ring sounds, there is a floating ball within the cavity in the middle of the “sound ball” that will freely move to different positions activating different rings. If the sound ball for instance is held in a vertical position by the player, depending on which of the two apexes either A or B is up, the floating ball will activate a different ring unique to team A or B. And if the sound ball is lying on its belly on the floor, the floating ball will activate the neutral ring sound which will in turn alert both teams the sound ball (FIGS. 5A, B, &C) is up for grabs.

It all depends on the three positions of the sound ball either being held in a player's hands in a vertical position or lying on the floor. If the sound ball is on its belly (FIG. 5A), a neutral bell sound will indicate that the ball is free for the taking by either team.

The first player who touches the ball will have the ball in his/her possession. Depending on which of the two apexes of the sound ball is up, will activate the bell/ring unique to the team that is in possession of the ball. Each apex of the sound ball will be recognized by the player by touching the raised markers on each apex (FIGS. 5B and 5C).

The second function is the electronic message that will be transmitted to the overhead speakers notifying players of the ball's whereabouts. For example, if the sound ball crosses the sensor poles located on the 25 ft. line, the overhead speaker will announce, “Ball at the 25 ft. line.” 

1. I claim that I have invented and designed a game of basketball/touch football for blind people. In this game, blind people wearing a “special helmet” (FIG. 4) will be guided only by sounds to carry the “sound ball” (FIG. 5) throughout an “electronically mapped court” (FIG. 1) to score against an opposing team. To score points, the “sound ball” must be carried and thrown by a blind player to hit the “touch sensitive screen” covering the center of the back board (FIG. 3).
 2. As it is claimed in claim # 1 above, I claim that I have invented and designed a “sound ball” that looks like a football and emits three different electronic sound/tones depending on its horizontal or vertical position(s) (FIG. 5). These three different tones enable the blind to locate the sound ball and its possession by either team.
 3. As I claimed in claim # 2 my sound ball (FIG. 5) also contains a component in it that if it crosses any of the ten “e-lines/e curtains” (FIG. 1), it will trigger an automated response from the overhead speakers. For example, if the “sound ball” crosses the 25 ft. line, the overhead speakers will announce “ball at the 25 ft. line.”
 4. As I claimed in claim # 1, I have invented and designed the “special helmets” (FIG. 4) that will help the blind people who are wearing them to receive signals/information via the special helmet's internal speakers. If any “special helmet” crosses any of the e-lines/e-curtains (FIG. 1), the information transmitted to the players via the helmet would say “you are at the right quarter line” (FIG. 1).
 5. As I claimed in claim # 4, I claim that a “sound source” (FIG. 4) designed on the “special helmets” will generate an electronic sound/signal which will be different for each opposing team. This sound will be switched on at the beginning of each game and will be turned off at the end of each game. This signal will inform the blind people of his teammates and opponents positions on the “electronically-mapped court” (FIG. 1) at all times.
 6. As I claimed in claim #1, I claim that I have invented and designed the sensitized boards (FIG. 3) that are composed of a 7 ft. by 7 ft. backboard, a “touch-sensitive screen” that is 5 ft. by 5 ft. covering the center of the backboard and a pulsating horn source located in the center of the board. (FIG. 3). The sound of the pulsating horn for each team is different. The blind players will recognize these “pulsating horns” and will advance towards the opposing team's sensitized board.
 7. As I claimed in claim # 6, I claim that I have invented and designed the second feature of the “sensitized board” (FIG. 3) the 5 ft. by 5 ft. “touch-sensitive screen” covering the center of the 7 ft. by 7 ft. back board. When/if the “sound ball” hits any area of the touch sensitive screen (FIG. 3), it will set off a recording i.e. gooooooaaaal! informing the team they have scored. 